Jayalath Weerakkody | |
|---|---|
| Allegiance | Sri Lanka |
| Branch |  Sri Lanka Air Force |
| Rank | Air Chief Marshal |
| Commands | Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force |
| Conflicts | Sri Lankan Civil War |
| Awards | Rana Wickrama Padakkama, Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya, Uttama Seva Padakkama |
| Other work | Sri LankanHigh Commissioner toPakistan |
Air Chief MarshalJayalath Weerakkody,RWP,VSV,USP is aSri Lankaair officer who served ascommander of the Air Force from 1999 to 2002. He served as Sri LankanHigh Commissioner toPakistan.
Educated atDharmashoka College, Ambalangoda, where he excelled in sports and swimming.[citation needed]
Weerakkody joined the Sri Lanka Air Force as anofficer cadet in the general duties pilot branch in the officer cadet intake 1 of theAir Force Academy, China Bay on 12 January 1972. Serving as a squadron pilot, he became aqualified flying instructor. He went on to command theNo. 4 Squadron SLAF,No. 2 Squadron SLAF andSLAF Colombo. Weerakkody served as the Senior Air Staff Officer, Base CommanderSLAF Anuradhapura, Northern Zonal Commander, Director Operations and Chief of Staff. He followed the Junior Commanders Course at theAir Force Administrative College, attended theAir Command and Staff College and theNational Defence College, New Delhi. He was appointed commander of the Air Force on 6 March 1998 and was promoted to the rank ofAir Marshal. During his tenure, the SLAF acquiredMiG-27ground-attack aircraft and upgraded its fleet of trainers by acquiringNanchang CJ-6s andK-8 Karakorums. He retired on 15 July 2002 and was appointed Sri LankanHigh Commissioner toPakistan. In 2007 he was promoted to the rank ofAir Chief Marshal along with nine other former service chiefs. His awards included thrice being awarded theRana Wickrama Padakkama for gallantry and the service medalsVishista Seva Vibhushanaya and theUttama Seva Padakkama.[1]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Commander of the Sri Lankan Air Force 1999–2002 | Succeeded by |
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